Hyundai Motorsport is ready to begin its fourth year of competition in the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo later this week.
The opening event of the 13-round 2017 season will see the debut of the team’s latest rally challenger, the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, which has been built to meet revised technical regulations introduced for this year’s competition.
Launched at a static media event in Monza last month, Hyundai Motorsport’s new car had already amassed over 6,000km in development tests. With regulation modifications aimed at enhancing the overall spectacle of the WRC even further, the 2017-specification cars look more aggressive than their predecessors. Changes have focussed on improving aerodynamic and mechanical grip, increasing engine power up to 280kW, reducing car weight, as well as the re-introduction of the active centre differential.
Hyundai Motorsport will field a three-car line-up in all rounds of the WRC this season, starting at Monte-Carlo, running under the unified Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team name. Hayden Paddon/John Kennard, Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul and Dani Sordo/Marc Martí will compete in cars 4, 5 and 6 respectively. The two highest-placed crews from each team will score points for the Manufacturers’ Championship in each event.
Following its most competitive WRC season to date in 2016, including two victories, Hyundai Motorsport is hoping to demonstrate its ability to fight for the WRC title in 2017. It promises to be an enthralling battle with Citroën, Ford and Toyota also looking to make their own mark on the Championship.
Crew Notes: Paddon/Kennard (#4 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard made their Monte debut in 2016 so they will be looking to put that experience to good use in their second participation this weekend. The Kiwi rally winner wants to feature more frequently at the front in 2017.
Paddon commented: “I am feeling in good shape and raring to go for the season ahead. I am cautiously optimistic about the potential of the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC but we never really know where we stand until we’re out on the stages. Monte-Carlo is a baptism of fire for everyone, particularly with the new regulations, so it promises to be an exciting rally. However, it is also the most challenging event of the year so the focus for us is to finish and get more miles in the new car for the rest of the season.”
